View Vacancy - HK - Head of Emerging Tech, EO

The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer.  We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow.
Department for Business and Trade roles (DBT)
Department for Business and Trade (DBT)

Main Purpose of Job:

This is a dynamic role for an exceptional individual to join Department for Business & Trade (DBT) Hong Kong team as the Head of Emerging Tech.  

Based in the British Consulate-General Hong Kong and reporting to the Associate Director for the Science, Innovation and Technology, the core focus of this role is to promote UK as the ideal country for trade and investment activities in Hong Kong’s Emerging Technology field, which includes but is not limited to Information and communication technology, Internet of Things and smart city technology.

This is a new role to DBT Hong Kong, and therefore requires an independent self-starter with strong problem-solving and business development skills, cross-team working who can build it from the ground up and proactively establish a professional network with business stakeholders and government officials.

What will the Jobholder be Expected to Achieve:

Lead and deliver trade and investment service delivery (40%)

  • Play a leading role in trade and investment service delivery, which fall under two major fields:
  • Investment (positioning the UK as top European destination for Hong Kong and Macao investment and providing strong support for UK investors with the Investment Services Team)
  • Export Wins (driving British exports to HK and Macao by working with local importers, distributors and buyers)
  • Play a strong supporting role in contributing to cross-team’s technology-related service delivery, use specialist sector knowledge and network to maximise business opportunities for overlapping sectors such as medtech, edtech, proptech, Infratech, etc.  
  • Support DBT’s trade policy work, especially on removing any barriers or challenges around importing UK services and goods into Hong Kong and Macao
  • Advise and work with the Marketing and Communications teams in campaign development, as well as steering their promotional activities with investment input

Business development and relationship management (40%)

  • Be an excellent communicator with strong marketing and business development acumen who plays an active role in building and expanding relationships with counterparts of key organisations in the Science, Innovation and Technology sectors, which include but are not limited to intermediaries, trade associations and government departments
  • Utilise Sales Navigator in LinkedIn to identify business leads. Handle a high volume of commercial enquiries from the UK, HK and Macao companies
  • Maintain a close working relationship with internal stakeholders in DBT China and Hong Kong, DBT headquarters, and other Whitehall departments
  • Deputise to the Associate Director and handle any other representational duties as required

Market Research and Analysis (10%)

  • Build up sector knowledge and become a sector specialist to support the Associate Director’s business planning and strategy development, by gathering intelligence on market trends, analysing trade data and identifying risks through bespoke briefing and reports

Organisational support (10%)

  • Support the Associate Director in planning, managing and following up on high level visits and events
  • Management of any delegated activity budget and ensure compliance with relevant guidance
  • There will be an occasional requirement to undertake similar work within other sectors that contribute to the wider team targets

Our Team:

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) is the arm of the UK government responsible for securing UK and global prosperity by promoting and financing international trade and investment, and championing free trade. Find out more about us here.

Based in British Consulate-General Hong Kong, the DBT Hong Kong team offers a fast-paced place to work as the office covers opportunities in Hong Kong and Macau, as well as South China in collaboration with the rest of the DBT China teams led by Her Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for China and Hong Kong.

The Sectors:

The emerging technology sector refers to new and innovative technologies that are in the early stages of development and have the potential to significantly impact society and the economy, such as AI, blockchain, virtual and augmented reality, 5G networks, quantum computing, and more. This sector is characterized by a high degree of innovation and entrepreneurship, with many startups developing new products and services based on emerging technologies that have the potential to revolutionize various industries and create new opportunities for innovation and growth. 

Our Offer:

We welcome candidates who share our organisation’s values in cultivating an inclusive workplace that encourages work-life balances and professional development. We offer a strong annual package of 25 days of annual leave on top of 14 days of public holiday, an extra employer MPF contribution, and an L&D action scheme that subsidises job-related trainings.

Resources Managed (staff and expenditure):

Trade & Investment Adviser within the Science, Innovation and Technology Team

  • Undergraduate degree in business, international trade or other relevant areas and minimum three years working experience in business development, sales or marketing, OR minimum six years working experiences in business development, sales or marketing
  • Good understanding of international trade and investment in particular to Science, Innovation and Technolgoy sectors
  • Excellent interpersonal,networking and business development skills with strong customer-facing background
  • Strong organisational and project management skills
  • Good IT skills and familiarity with MS Office applications
  • An adaptable self-starter with enthusiasm and energy to work alone as well as in a team
  • Sound analytical skills and ability to conduct market research

Language Requirements:

Highly proficient in the essential languages:

  • English (written & spoken) 
  • Chinese (written)
  • Cantonese (spoken)

Other desirable languages: Mandarin (spoken)

  • Previous experience of working across teams and stakeholders based across multiple locations
  • Previous experience of working within both government and private sector
  • Previous experience of working in an international trade or investment environment 
Managing a Quality Service, Delivering at Pace, Communicating and Influencing, Working Together
30 May 2023
Executive Officer (EO)
Full-time, Permanent
41
Asia Pacific
Hong Kong SAR
Hong Kong SAR
British Consulate General
1
HKD
HKD 27,792 per month
7 August 2023

The British Consulate General offers a competitive pay and benefits package, flexible work arrangement per agreement with Line Manager/Section and access to learning and development opportunities:

  • Courses and materials offered by trade/ prosperity academy of the Diplomatic Academy.
  • Attending external events and conferences hosted by academic institutions, business chambers, etc.
  • Benefit from Posts internal learning and development strategy which allows individuals to bid for specific training needs.
  • Opportunities for job shadowing across the China and HK network when travel is allowed.

The jobholder may be required to travel, and any travel would be monitored in line with COVID-19 situation. Some work (including travel) will be required during the evenings and occasionally weekends, for which time off in lieu (where applicable) will be given.

This position is open to Hong Kong citizens, permanent residents, and partners/dependents of UK-based diplomatic staff currently posted in Hong Kong. Employment offers are subject to successful clearance of pre-employment checks. No accommodation or relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position. Candidates must have or be able to obtain work authorisation for Hong Kong in order to apply.

The start date mentioned in the job advert is a tentative start date and the successful candidate will be required to undergo security vetting procedures. Any offer of employment will be subject to the candidate achieving suitable clearances.

Learning and Development Opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed):

  • Courses and materials offered by the trade / prosperity academy of the Diplomatic Academy
  • Attending external events and conferences hosted by academic institutions, business chambers, etc
  • Benefit from Posts internal learning and development strategy which allows colleagues to bid for specific training needs.
  • Opportunities for job shadowing across the China and HK network when travel is allowed.

Please note that the deadline for applications is 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”.

We advise you to allow enough time to complete and submit your full application since only applications completed and submitted before the deadline will be considered.

Please be aware that the deadline for submitting applications is considered to be the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen.

Note: All applicants are required to mandatorily fill the online application form completely including the employment and educational details, experience, professional skills and behaviour-based questions. We will be thoroughly reviewing the applications and incomplete form in any respect may not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage.
 
Only shortlisted candidates for interview will be contacted. Interviewees will be assessed on the core behaviours/qualifications listed above. Unsuccessful candidates will be notified via the system in due time. Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful may be placed on a ‘reserve list’. If during the reserve period of 6 months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate.

For inclusivity and diversity, please remove the following personal information when uploading your CV: name, address, email address, age, date of birth, gender, and nationality.

The start date mentioned in the job advert is a tentative start date and the successful candidate will be required to undergo security vetting procedures. Any offer of employment will be subject to the candidate achieving suitable clearances.

Please be aware that you will only be able to apply to vacancies for Country Based Staff roles with the British Government through this official tal.net site (operated by Oleeo). Jobs may be advertised on third party websites, however our adverts will always link back to the official tal.net site. If you complete and send an application through any other site, we will not receive it.

This opportunity is closed to applications.